Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to manage Babar Azam’s England tour media commitments carefully ahead of the national team’s three-Test series.
_x000D_Pakistan have arrived in England for the series, which begins at Headingley in Leeds on August 19. Babar will lead the side after returning to the Test captaincy following Shan Masood’s stint in charge.
_x000D_ _x000D_Babar Azam England tour brings media scrutiny
_x000D_Rashid believes the Babar Azam England tour could bring intense attention from the English press. He said visiting teams often face tough questions and suggested that the PCB should reduce Babar’s media workload.
_x000D_Speaking on a television programme, Rashid described an England tour as a difficult assignment and warned that the local media could focus heavily on Pakistan’s players and internal issues.
_x000D_The former wicketkeeper-batter suggested that other experienced players should take a larger role during press conferences and media engagements.
_x000D_“Babar Azam is an experienced player, so it would be better for the PCB management to keep him away from the English media,†Rashid said.
_x000D_He recommended former Test captain Shan Masood as the main alternative because of his experience playing and dealing with the media in England.
_x000D_ _x000D_Shan Masood, Imam and Abbas suggested for media duties
_x000D_Rashid also identified Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Abbas as possible players who could represent Pakistan during media interactions.
_x000D_He believes their involvement could allow Babar to focus more closely on his responsibilities as captain and batsman during the demanding series.
_x000D_Babar returned to the Test captaincy after Pakistan endured a difficult run of results under Masood. The England series will therefore provide an important opportunity for him to establish himself again as the team’s Test leader.
_x000D_The Babar Azam England tour also marks Pakistan’s first Test visit to England since 2020.
_x000D_ _x000D_Pakistan face three Tests in England
_x000D_The opening Test will take place at Headingley from August 19 to 23. Pakistan will then travel to Lord’s for the second Test, scheduled for August 27 to 31.
_x000D_The series will conclude at Edgbaston in Birmingham from September 9 to 13.
_x000D_The three-Test contest forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, adding further importance to the tour.
_x000D_For Babar, the challenge will extend beyond captaincy and batting. He will also have to handle the pressure that comes with leading Pakistan in England, where media attention can become a significant part of a visiting team’s tour.
_x000D_ Rashid’s advice reflects a broader view that Pakistan should carefully manage its leadership group during the series and allow Babar to concentrate on performances on the field.
